Sexism Claims Against Addison Township Consultant

ADDISON, IL – Addison Township in May hired a management consultant who faced sexism claims years ago when he worked for Bernie Sanders' Democratic presidential campaign.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained Addison Township's contract with Veritas Strategies, headed by Bill Velazquez. The township includes the northern part of Elmhurst.

After sweeping out Republicans in the April election, the new Democrat-controlled township board hired the firm for $20,000 a month through year's end.

In January 2019, the New York Times ran a front-page story about allegations of sexual harassment in Sanders' 2016 campaign. The paper wrote about how a female campaign worker brought an allegation to Velazquez, a manager on Sanders' Latino team, that a fellow worker ran his hand through her hair in a "sexual way" and continued to grab and touch her for the rest of the day.

The Times reported that the woman and another witness said Velazquez responded, "I bet you would have liked it if he were younger." Then Velazquez laughed, according to the account.

Velazquez told the Times that he did not recall making a flippant remark, but said he took it seriously, reported the matter to his supervisor and followed up with a memo two weeks later.

Velazquez did not return a message for comment last week that Patch left through the township.

Shortly after the Times story, Velazquez became the chief of staff for the newly elected Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, a Chicago Democrat. But he resigned soon afterward, with the congressman's office saying the aide did not want to be a distraction.

In an interview, Addison Township's newly elected supervisor, Democrat Bobby Hernandez, said Velazquez's firm is helping with the transition.

Hernandez said Velazquez is among four members of the Veritas firm on the project and that Velazquez is "very knowledgeable and has decades of experience."

The township's new clerk, Maria Vesey, said no one ever proved Hernandez made the comment in question.

"He was not the one accused of sexually harassing her," Vesey said. "The only reason he left Chuy's office was that it would have overshadowed the work of the newly elected congressman if he stayed."

As for the cost of the consultant, she said, "This is not a ridiculous amount for a transition team."

Under state law, townships have three mandatory functions – maintaining roads, assessing properties for tax purposes and providing what is known as "general assistance." Townships can also provide a variety of social services.